St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-08
A NAVAL COURT-MARTIAL
Held to Inquire Into the Celtic.
. Britannia Collision.

martial was commenced this morning
before Acting Consul HOare to inquire
into the cause of the collision between
the Celtic and Britannia, both belong
ing to the White Star Line Steamship
company. whereby much damage was
done and many lives were imperiled.
The following were the members of the
court of inquiry: William Robert
HOare, Capt. McMicken, of the UNI
bria, Capt. John B. Puryis and Capt.
Fred Archer, of the Tower Hill. Capt.
Perry, of the Britannia, was the first
witness. He said the collision occurred
about 37O miles from New York. The
weather had been fair up to within
short time of the collision. He con-
tinued: 81 did not hear the Celtic's
whistle until few minutes before we
struck her, which was at 500 o. clock
pm. The interval between hearing the
whistle and seeing the Celtic did not
exceed half minute. l only heard the
whistle once. There was no wind, and
the Britannia was going fifteen knots.
There was nothing unusal in going at
such speed in such weather. The rate of
speed was Immediately decreased, a
man was stationed at the whistle and
extra lookOuts put on. We were shut
in by
which was closing iii upon us. Second
Officer Mckenzie and Fourth Officer
Leggett were on the bridge in charge at
the time, and L was in the chart ioom.
We were ia clear water within few
moments OF rthe time OF the collision.
The sound of the whistle, which was
heard about seven minutes before the
striking, appeared to be about seven
miles distant. Did not think the vessel
was the Celtic. When l saw the boat
three points away on our port side, |
rang five times, which means full speed
do the best you can-and endeaYOred
to clear the Celtic. Half a minute after
seeing the Celtic the collision occurred.
did not consider the fog such as to re-
quire decrease of speed. Immediately
after the collision it was reported to me
that No. 4 compartment was full of
water. The first orders given were:
Stations everybody; man the boats,
women first and l08 persons were
transferred to the Celtic. Sixty were
women and children and the remainder
men. My crew behaved very well. The
captain Of the Celtic arranged to stay by
me. Three passengers were killed and
eight more Injured belonging to the
Britannia. They were lying ON deck
basking in the sun. The killed were
uCCCuGly UuIleu dt Scd anu Tie III urea
brought to New York"
Frederick SturgiS, of New York,
passenger on the Britannia, was the
next witness. He said it was not fosgy
before the collision. For an hour previous
the weather was ''sputty," that is, the
vessel went now and then into light
clouds. Toward o'clock the weather
locked darker in advance. After 5
O'Clock we heard a fog whistle in the
distance. AT the same time / saw the
lookout signal on the bridge AT the
same moment an officer stepped from
the bridge to the chart room and Capt.
Perry came out. Again l heard the
whistle, which appeared to be passing
away. At that moment mast appeared
on the port bow and l saw the name
Celtic" In another moment they col
lided. At first l did not expect a collis-
ion. James Bennett Mckenzie was sworn
and said he was the second officer of the
Britannia, and
HAD CHARGE OF THE STEAMER
at the time of the accident. ''NVas at tea
when the first whistle was heard. The
fourth officer was on the bridge and was
really in charge. / went below at 5
o'clock when it was clear. When came
on deck twenty minutes after it was
haZy. l could see from two to three
miles away. The fog came right down
on us. [ could see two miles away when
the first whistle was heard. The ship
was going from thirteen to fourteen
knots. When | came out / ordered the
fog whistle blown at minute intervals.
The whistle was not blown when came
on deck. This was more than
five minutes before the col
lision. The first whistle heard
was ten minutes before the collision,
seven minutes before the vessel was
seen. On first hearing the whistle [
ordered to port helm. The first whistle
was slightly on the port bow. Finally
the captain said: Bring her up to her
course again When l first saw the
Celtic she was three-quarters of mile
away. We gave a signal to show that
the port helm. The order was given to
give short blasts, signifying port helm.
Capt. Perry Interrupted the witness:"I
don't believe the order was given.'0 The
Celtic signals in answer Signified star
board helm. The Britannia headed
south southeast and the Celtic about
southwest at the time of the collision.''
Horace Leggett, fourth officer, was next
examined. A whistle was heard on the
Starb0ard, and as the fog was coming on
thick he sent for the second officer at
once. We gave signal to show what
course we were taking, but can't say
what the signal was. Joseph E. Cole
man, who was on the lookout, was the
next witness. He testified to it being
foggy, and said that he heard four
whistles in all, three before the Celtic
was seen. She could not be made out
at $50 yards distance.
Warning Roads.
Grrr WA Ont Iuno Tho CronI